Worn or Damaged Locks? Don’t Replace Them—Call Us!

Are you experiencing issues with the locks around your home? Is your key stuck in the door, or not turning at all? Even the highest quality locks in Toledo, OH will experience some wear and tear over the course of years of usage. If you’ve noticed this happening to your locks, you shouldn’t jump right to replacing them—skilled locksmiths can help you save some money and preserve the character of your home by repairing your worn locks and restoring them to solid functionality.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common problems locks experience over time and how an experienced locksmith can help:

• Lock not turning with key in: If you’re able to get the key into the lock, but the lock simply won’t turn, this is probably due to a buildup of dirt and debris. The most common solution here is to use some graphite to clear out the lock. This is a problem locksmiths call a “seized lock,” and it’s one that’s relatively easy to fix in most circumstances.
• Frozen locks: This is a common problem for people in the Midwest. The year-long changing of the seasons and freezing and thawing cycles can wreak havoc on your locks, and when it gets cold enough, you can even have locks literally freeze up. This is likely a problem you can resolve yourself. Simply take a hair dryer and use it to blow hot air on your key. This will warm it up so when you stick it in the keyhole, it will warm up the lock, thawing it out and restoring its functionality.
• Lock doesn’t click shut: If you have a lock that won’t click shut when you turn it, or a latch that won’t catch, this probably means the lock is not properly aligned with the strike plate. You may need to look into adjusting the position of the strike plate on the door frame. If raising or lowering the plate won’t work, you might need to adjust the strike plate depth, which could involve adding a shim to help bridge a gap between the door and strike plate, or cutting out some of the wood in the frame behind the strike plate to provide more space.
• Lock is stripped: You may be able to resolve an issue with a stripped lock simply by realigning the lock. Don’t remove the lock in this case—exhaust your other options first.
• Lock doesn’t move when you turn the key: If you’re able to turn the key, but the lock itself isn’t moving, this is going to be a mechanical problem with the lock itself. There might be worn parts causing key slippage, or missing parts to the lock that may need to be replaced. Have a mechanic investigate the problem before deciding to simply replace the entire lock, especially if you have a lock that is particularly old, antique or ornate.

If you’re wondering, “My key is stuck in the door—what should I do?” your best bet is to turn to a professional locksmith in Toledo, OH. For more information about the steps you should take to resolve common lock problems, we encourage you to contact Toledo Lock & Key LLC today to speak with an experienced locksmith.

Categorised in: Locksmith Services

This post was written by Writer